Paleo Rosemary Raspberry Jam

My mother is famous. Or maybe infamous? Her raspberry jam is definitely famous. I have friends who clamor and beg for “Nola’s raspberry jam” or any of her amazing preserves. It’s in mismatched jars of all different sizes and shapes; jars found at second hand stores, recycling bins and garage sales. It is the best way for her to get jars as once she fills them she gives them away.

My parents live in a retirement resort in a small townhouse. Mom (and Dad now that he’s retired) have a large garden spot and do little “pop up” gardens throughout the resort, feeding the community and the tourists fresh organic produce. I laughed one day watching Mom leave handfuls of cherry tomatoes on peoples’ doorsteps; ringing the door bell and moving onto the next. I commented about getting her some ears, since she was like the Easter Bunny. She gave me a dirty look – you know the “mom look”? The one that makes you immediately: behave, be quiet, stop picking on your little brother look? That one. I flashed her back a “I’m not scared of you… much” smile, and we continued on our way. My mother is the smartest and most generous person I know, but if I tell her so, she sort of rolls her eyes at me.

In her large garden spot she has berries: blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. The raspberry canes will take over if you let them All summer long my mother picks raspberries at least every other day, filling bags and bags for her freezer (if she doesn’t leave piles for her neighbors). Once the freezer is full, my mom makes large vats of raspberry jam. Nola’s jam is amazing; thick, sweet, bold raspberry so fruity and delicious that people have been known to eat it by the spoonful. Unfortunately is NOT paleo: added sugar and pectin (which can be paleo: some is made with fruit – some corn – so be sure to read). I wondered, “If I made it with love, could I make raspberry jam as good as my mothers? Without the sugar?”

I picked these raspberries myself, spending an afternoon in the sun, upside-down coaxing juicy raspberries so ripe that they nearly fell off the cane into a bucket. I washed and sorted the berries, took out the worms and leaves and froze them in bags just like my mom (I found a worm, which made me think of my grandfather who used to say, “It’s okay to find a worm in your berries, you only need to worry if you find half a worm”). I was spending the afternoon doing other canning, and had one empty burner. I figured it was the perfect time for a raspberry jam attempt. Mine is missing the secret ingredient: (shhhhhh… don’t tell… it’s lots of… sugar), and simmering it down took some time, the pectin from the apple peels (suggested by a friend) helped thicken, I was pretty happy with the result. Maybe one day “Holley’s rosemary raspberry jam”, will be in as much demand as “Nola’s jam”. I am aspiring to be like my mom when I grow up. But when I leave produce for my neighbors, I WILL wear bunny ears, and maybe a fluffy tail.

You may be asking yourself; “What will I put this amazing jam on living a grain free life?” Put it on: one of our pancake recipes, with some delicious baked garlic on crackers, or with some coconut milk and ice for a refreshing smoothie, and watch for an up-coming cookie recipe!

About Holley

Real food fan. My first love is baking, and it keeps me sane. I am new to the Paleo lifestyle, but already infatuated. Recovering sugar Junkie. Love awkward situations, drunk people and ridiculously high heeled shoes, especially when they coincide. Always looking for my next great story.

I do think you are headed the right direction. People making small batches for personal storage of excess seasonal fruit.
There is a growing wealth of data on Seasonal eating.
How our bodies need the particular ingredients. IE: Strawberries and red fruits help your skin handle sun in early summer. Darker fruits add more protection in late summer. Oranges high in Vitamin C come in season at Flu and Virus time.
So I am learning to enjoy the gifts of the season and let that be enough.
OK… it is a work in progress. LOL

Holley, I have a ton of raspberries this year. I don’t usually make jam, but might use up a few this way. Do you find this small amount of honey is enough? Is the apple juice for flavour or to add sweetness or to help in setting the jam? I would use our own apple juice which has no added sugar.

Hi Ruth, yes, this recipe did set, but it did take quite a while to reduce. The apple juice is to add sweetness, green apples have natural pectin. I made a batch a couple weeks ago, and was pressed for time, so I used a reduced sugar pectin package. Sometimes powdered pectins have corn products in them, which is why I try to limit or avoid use. Bumper raspberry crop this year?

We picked 8 1/2 pounds today and I am on my third batch of raspberry/mint jam. Will get some to you the next time we see each other. I don’t use pecton, either and have lots of green apples right now. Need some apple recipes from you soon as the first tree is almost ripe.

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